The Little Gardener Format: Hardback

A warm and touching story by Gerda Maria Scheidl and illustrated by the legendary European artist Bernadette Watts.

George, the little gardener, is surprised when one of his beloved flowers is sad. The small daisy would rather be in the neighbor’s beautiful garden filled with lilies and roses than in George’s untamed yard. But when George assists her, she finds that things are not always as they seem. Bernadette Watts’ beautiful pastel illustrations bring magic to this heart-warming story by Gerda Marie Scheidl about the things that matter most.

Bernadette Watts, known throughout Europe simply as Bernadette, has illustrated dozens of folk and fairy tales. Born in England, she loved to draw from childhood. She studied at the Maidstone Art School in Kent, UK, and for some time was taught by Brian Wildsmith and David Hockney. Bernadette’s many beautiful books include Little Red Riding Hood and Varenka. Bernadette finds her inspiration in nature. Today she lives and works in Kent. She has been illustrating for NorthSouth Books and NordSüd Verlag since the beginning of her career.

Gerda Marie Scheidl (1913–2005) was born in Bremerhaven-Geestemünde in the north of Germany. Scheidl studied dance at the Hellerau-Laxenburg School on the outskirts of Vienna, then trained as an actor and became a member of the Stadttheater Bremerhaven. Afterward she had a three-year stint with the Dortmund opera before returning to her studies, reading philosophy and art history. Scheidl wrote both books and plays for children. Later she also worked for radio and television and was in charge of a private children’s theater.